GriffinShare @ Fontbonne University

A member of the Class of 2023  smiles with Dr. Nancy Blattner, President of Fontbonne University, outside Ryan Hall on May 6, 2023.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/8208/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 7209

A member of the Class of 2023  smiles with Dr. Nancy Blattner, President of Fontbonne University, outside Ryan Hall on May 6, 2023.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/8200/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 7201

A member of the Class of 2023  smiles with Dr. Nancy Blattner, President of Fontbonne University, outside Ryan Hall on May 6, 2023.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/8213/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 7214

Koch, Ann Koch

Ann Koch

Fontbonne Community Connection

1 
 
EAC Meeting Minutes 
January 11, 2023 
Zoom 
 
The meeting was called to order at 9:02 a.m. by Chair JoAnn Donovan.  JoAnn led the opening prayer. 
 
All members were in attendance:  Barb Atteln, Connie Diekman, JoAnn Donovan, Nancy English, Joan 
Falk, Lucy Hahn, Joan Kelly, Ruth Ann Kerr, Susan Lenihan, Barb Stroer, Kathy Tanner, Wendi Valenti and 
Mary Lee Walter.  
 
Agenda and Consent Agenda:  JoAnn Donovan 
Consent Agenda Item b Treasurer’s Report 11/30/22 was modified to 10/31/22.  The revised agenda and 
consent agenda were approved.  
 
Reports on action items implemented since the 12/14/2022 EAC Meeting were discussed and plans 
were made for additional action items.  
 
Membership Committee – Alumni Board of Directors Meeting Presentation 01/05/23 
Chairwoman Joann Donovan and Membership Committee representatives 
Lucy Hahn and Connie Diekman attended the Alumni Board Meeting to discuss FCC and the Alumni 
Board’s relationship with the FCC. Lucy and Connie summarized this presentation: 
• The vison/purpose of FCC since its founding in 2008 by five women Fontbonne graduates was 
provided. The attendees were visibly impressed by the total award amount since FCC’s 
beginning - over 200 projects totaling more than $1.2 million.   
• In order to further its connection with the Alumni Board, the FCC is offering a one year 
fellowship (January to December) to a woman member of the Alumni Board courtesy of the FCC. 
The fellowship covers all the 
benefits of FCC membership including attendance at Executive Advisory Counsel (EAC) meetings 
and quarterly FCC newsletters. 
• Alice Bell and Barb Stroer, also members of the Alumni Board, shared their reasons for joining 
the FCC and how it is a way to stay connected to FBU meaningfully.  Alice described Fontbonne 
as a “gem” that few in the broader St. Louis community are aware of.  The importance of 
Fontbonne to the St. Louis community and beyond can be accomplished through efforts 
between and within our two groups. 
• Women were advised to stay on zoom after the meeting if they were interested in applying for 
the sponsorship. More than one expressed interest.  Since not all board members attended this 
meeting, Wendi sent an email on 01/09/23 to all members explaining the FCC’s sponsorship 
offer including that FCC would encourage the fellow to participate in the March roundtable 
discussions to determine funded projects and possibly serve on a committee to help shape the 
interconnectedness of the FCC and Alumni Association.  If interested, instructed to email Alumni 
Board Vice Chair Sharon Hunter huntervoice5@gmail.com by January 20th.  The info from the 
presentation was included in the recording of the Alumni Board meeting that was attached.  
• During the EAC 01/11/23 discussion of this presentation, Barb Stroer shared that a position on 
the Alumni Board of Directors is only for a maximum of 4 years (Two 2-year terms).  A 
connection between our members is a way to encourage additional involvement with 
Fontbonne. Membership in both the Alumni Board and FCC can be simultaneous.  
2 
 
Update on Annual Meeting – Saturday 04/22/2023 10-11 a.m. CT 
• Susan Lenihan reported that this will be a hybrid event. Start time at 10:00 a.m CT to better 
accommodate coasts. The space will be reserved for 10-11:30 a.m. to allow time for visiting 
after the meeting ends at 11 a.m. 
• Wendi has the Board Room reserved but is looking for other space to optimize microphone use 
for this hybrid meeting.  Consider a temporary hold on E254 which is being used for the Round 
Table hybrid meetings and would likely allow for the number of in-house attendees for the 
annual meeting.   
• Light refreshments will be provided.  
 
Round Table Dates:  
Weekend - Saturday, March 4, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT 
Morning - Thursday, March 9, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CT 
Evening - Wednesday, March 15, 2023 Time: 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CT 
Afternoon - Tuesday, March 21, 2023 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM CT 
 
Planning Ahead 
JoAnn opened this time to facilitate discussion of any ideas related to EAC’s 4 main themes emerging 
from the strategic planning meeting on 11/09/22. 
 
• Increasing FCC Visibility - Director of Marketing 
o A new Director of Marketing, Grace Elmore, has recently started and Wendi is scheduled 
to see her today.  Wendi will be giving her an overview of what is being done in the 
Advancement office and will include what the FCC is and FCC’s desire to participate in 
promoting Fontbonne.  
• Expanding Membership  
o Barb Atteln reviewed the Bylaws and found no mention of Sponsorships in the Bylaws. 
o  There are several references to Sponsorship Funds in the Policies and Procedures 
including its definition and disbursement.  The Membership Section states that 
membership is open to any woman who…                 
o Any variations of membership levels or members requires changes to the Bylaws which 
becomes a long-range plan. Can continue to explore whether and how to change Bylaws 
for ideas such as membership tiers.  
o The EAC has chosen to proceed at this time with Sponsorship as currently defined.  
Priority is on full-paying members vs tiers of membership.   
• Getting the Word Out 
o Joan Gray started a discussion on exploring ways to encourage current members to talk 
about the benefits and values of FCC.  How many more potential members could we 
recruit if more current FCC members got the word out.  Personal contact is important.  
We may find with Zoom, more out-of-towners would be interested.  The following are 
some thoughts on this topic: 
▪ Bring a classmate/friend to a centennial event that is face-to-face.  Some of the 
remaining events will not be live-streamed. Send email to FCC members 
highlighting FCC and Fontbonne community presenters and encouraging “bring 
a guest.” Other thoughts on getting the word out included: 
3 
 
▪ Asking comfort level in reaching out, would members like to have some 
information about membership, the dreams of award submissions and awards 
given.  
▪ Ask members to stay a few minutes after the Round Tables to ask their 
experiences sharing information about FCC and any needs for helping find 
information and/or implementing it.  Survey questionnaires have not been 
successful in the past.  
▪ Lucy Hahn will send a Valentine message to the membership and work with 
Joan Falk on the wording.  Want to recognize that each individual’s  
membership and generous support is valued.  
▪ Nancy English found some previously used picture boards featuring Awardees 
and Projects.  Some are still current, e.g., Center for Bosnian Studies, Pergola, 
and Racoon Study.  There are boards that might be able to be reused.  These 
boards could be set up outside a meeting area near the registration desk so that 
attendees could view some of the work that FCC does. 
 
• Gala 
o Some of the arrangements for the Gala were discussed and opportunities to promote 
the FCC at the Gala were brain-stormed 
o Reserving tables for FCC members 
o Reaching out to FCC members to ask if they would like to join an FCC table or be in close 
proximity 
o Displaying some of the picture boards 
o A small flower corsage to ID FCC members 
o Wendi will check with the Gala organizing committee re: FCC group recognition and 
other possibilities to include/promote FCC at the Gala.  
 
Concluding Comments/Action Items 
JoAnn asked that the EAC members think about the 4th Strategic Planning theme – Stewardship of 
Current Members: Engagement and Leadership.  
• Is there more we could do to encourage enthusiasm in recruiting members? 
• What is hindering members from reaching out?  
• Advocates to help members with ideas on how to prepare for conversations with prospective 
members.  
•  Have members reached out and what have been their experiences?   
• Pre-Covid some people had coffee at their homes or met elsewhere, but the environment has 
changed now so are there ways to adapt reaching out? 
 
The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 a.m.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4 
 
Officer and Committee Reports 
 
Recording Secretary:  Barb Stroer 
The minutes from the 12/14/2022 EAC Meeting were approved. 
 
Treasurer’s Report: Kathy Tanner 
As of 12/30/22, $62,481 is available for future awards. 
 
Corresponding Secretary:  Ruth Ann Ker 
 Does not have a listing of members who renewed for January 2023.  Sent a note to new   member, Juli Nieman, 
since had her contact information. Will have to wait for the official notification for the newest member, Delah 
Jones. 
 
Communications Report:  Joan Falk 
No report other than to say assignments have been made and excellent articles are coming in for the upcoming 
FCC Newsletter, to be issued approximately 02/01/23.  
 
Archives Committee:  Nancy English 
Continue to work on the archives. This seems like a broken record, but there just has been a lot of work to 
do.  Soon I will be at a point where the archives will begin to be posted to Griffin Share, but not quite yet.  
 
Awards Committee:  Susan Lenihan and Mary Lee Walter 
The Awards subcommittee (Sr. Mary Carol and Barb Stroer) have been figuring out the signage for various FCC 
projects.  An update will be given at the EAC meeting.   
 
Events Committee:  Joan Kelly 
There is nothing to report. 
 
Membership Committee:  Lucy Hahn and Connie Diekman 
Pam Kanter, a new FCC member, hosted a gathering of alums in Kansas City. Invitations were 
sent to 15, 6 attended. Pam gave a strong push for joining the FCC. Wendi followed up by 
sending each of them membership applications. Connie and Lucy contacted each to answer any 
questions. A second attempt will be made to contact them now that the holidays are past. 
At the last EAC meeting it was decided to use FCC funds to extend a fellowship with a full 
membership to a female member of the Alumni Board. Last Thursday, JoAnn, Connie and Lucy 
made a presentation during the Alumni Board meeting with that offer. Both Barb Stroer and 
Alice Bell gave their testimonies about FCC membership. Several expressed an interest. The 
board will vote in the next week. So, we should know soon who that person will be. 
We think it will be in the best interests of the FCC and the university for the Alumni Board and 
the FCC to work more closely. We hope to find other opportunities in the next year to do that. 
 
ByLaws Committee:  Barb Atteln 
There is no Bylaws Committee Report for January 2023. 
 
Advancement Liaison Report:  Wendi Valenti  
Wendy sent her report separately to EAC members on 02/07/23.  
    
Respectfully submitted by Barbara Stroer, Recording Secretary on February 6, 2023 
 


English

FCC Minutes: January 2023

Fontbonne University Archives

AAUP Agendas: February 24, 2023

Lewis, Bailey

Bailey Lewis

Photograph of a collage created from wallet sized photos.  This photo has been retouched to reduce glare and water damage and to make some names more readable by Dan Stumpf.
Several of the collection of oversized collages were damaged in a flood in 2011.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos-class-composite/1054/thumbnail.jp

UASC Photos: Class of 1983

Luca Roma carries a goat at the  Keep Goating  event in September 2023.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/uasc-photos/8234/thumbnail.jp

University Archives Photos: 7235

Feminine Energy tells a story of three women and their struggles with life, faith, and health as they each embrace hope and joy at the possibilities of what could come.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/mst-programs/1047/thumbnail.jp

Gary, Myah L.


Myah L. Gary is a playwright-health educator from 
Carbondale, Illinois. Whether she is working as a writer, 
dramaturg, or director, much of her artistic work centers 
on health and social issues. She is currently a doctoral 
candidate in Public Health and Theater at Southern 
Illinois University Carbondale. She holds a master’s 
degree in Health Education and a bachelor’s degree in 
Creative Writing and Sociology. 
Myah’s work has been performed in staged readings at The St. Louis Shakespeare 
Festival (St. Louis, MO), The Playwright’s Center (Minneapolis, MN), and The Big 
Muddy New Play Festival (Carbondale, IL). Feminine Energy was written during 
Myah’s time as a playwright fellow with The Confluence Regional Writers Project 
through the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. 
Outside of artistic work, she owns and operates Creative Health Education, a 
public health resource store (www.creativehealtheducation.com), and Kind 
Might Creative, a health communications firm (www.kindmightcreative.com). 
Myah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, taking nature walks, 
trying new restaurants, and snuggling with her cat, Bella, and her dog, Penelope. 
Myah would like to thank God for this incredible opportunity. Her amazing 
parents, brother, and grandmothers for their love, prayer, and support. Myah 
also thanks her doctoral and career mentor, Dr. Jacob Juntunen, and Confluence 
mentor Nancy Bell. And last but not least, she expresses gratitude to Deanna, 
Jackie, and the fantastic cast and crew for their commitment to this project and 
for giving her the honor of seeing her play produced for the first time!
Playwright
Rae Davis
Michelle Dillard
Ricki Franklin
Joshua Mayfield
Claire Louise Monarch
Andrea Purnell
Erin Renee Roberts
Regina/Jasmine/Tarajee
Madame Juniper/Student
Mama Tina/Mama Kay
Mama Ronesha
Monique Thomas
Marcus/Paul/Josiah
Shawn/Male Nurse
Katie/Doctors/Nurse
Debra Jackson
Dr. Soleil Kirkpatrick
Cast
Jacqueline Thompson
Spencer Lawton 
Jaylin Hester
Emily Fluchel
Patrice Nelms
Shevare Perry
Michael Sullivan
AhSa-Ti Nu Tyehimba-Ford
Sara Naumann
Director
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Props Design
Set Design
Costume Design
Light Design
Sound Design
Crew
Creative Team
Deanna Jent
Bess Moynihan
Ann Rapko
Leslie Wobbe
Producer
Technical Director
House Manager
PR & Marketing
Staff
Cast Biographies
Rae Davis (Regina/Jasmine/Tarajee/Madame Juniper/Student) 
is a Kansas City native that migrated to St. Louis after getting 
her Bachelor’s in Theatre in Columbia and appreciates every 
opportunity to perform. She has worked extensively with 
St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, Metro Theater Company and 
Slightly Askew Theater Ensemble. She directed The Super Fun 
Time Party Palace for SATE’s 2022 Aphra Behn Festival. Rae has 
enjoyed bringing characters to life, sharing their stories, and is 
honored to be a part of this timely project.
Michelle Dillard (Mama Tina/Mama Kay/ Mama Ronesha) is 
an actor, voice over artist, playwright, certified speaker, coach, 
author, podcaster, and director. She holds an MA in Theatre 
from Fontbonne University, is a graduate of the Creative 
Artist Institute (CAT) through the Regional Arts Commission, 
and Outstanding Actress in a Drama nominee (Theatre Circle 
Awards).
She has had the pleasure of gracing the stages of several theatre 
companies in and out of the St. Louis area, The Black Repertory Theatre (Milk Like Sugar), 
Shakespeare Festival (The Ville Avengence, Feminine Energy, and Home), True Community 
Theatre (Love and Decopage), Tesseract Theatre (Facing, Honor Student, Helvetica), The 
Repertory Theatre (Every 28 Hours), That Uppity Theatre (Climate Change, Becoming 
Emily), Call to Conscience Theater Co. (The Annie Malone Story), Fontbonne University 
(Trojan Women, Principal, Principle), Solid Lines Production (Kimchee and Chitlins), and DC 
Shorts International Film Festival (As Good as it Gets) to name a few.  
Michelle has also enjoyed lending her talents to several staged readings, narrations, 
commercials, industrials, and short films. She has written, directed, and produced, #MeToo, 
Her Voice Must be Heard, Girl Arise You’re Carrying Too Much Baggage and Quarantined. 
Commissioned to write Times are Getting Harder and The Great Migration Story (Call to 
Conscience Theatre Company). She is thrilled to be working once again with producer 
Deanna Jent, director Jacqueline Thomas and a dynamic cast/crew.
Joshua Mayfield (Marcus/Paul/Josiah/Shawn/Male Nurse) is 
thrilled to be welcomed to Mustard Seed Theatre, and looking 
forward to help tell the story of Feminine Energy. Josh started 
acting as a sophomore in high school landing the role of Frank 
Jr. in Catch Me If You Can. Since then, he has known his passion 
for acting was undying and ever-growing leading him to play in 
several theater productions both in high school and in college. 
Although he graduated with a BA in psychology, his need to 
pursue acting remains unfazed. He is very excited to work with such talented and inspired 
individuals and enlighten people with a first-hand experience of Black women in the world 
of healthcare.
Ricki Franklin (Monique Thomas) is delighted to be making her 
Mustard Seed debut in a play where she feels so represented 
as a PCOS patient herself.  She’s a St Louis, Missouri native 
who was trained at Baylor University.  Some of her favorite 
credits include Bottom in A Midsummer Nights Dream with 
the St Louis Shakespeare Festival, Ensemble in Comb Your 
Hair or You’ll Look Like a Slave, Lucrece in The Liar and Buddy 
(Bunny) Holly in Honeymoon in Vegas.  She loves Jesus, her 
family and pasta.
Claire Louise Monarch (Katie/Doctors/Nurse) is delighted to 
be making her St. Louis theatrical debut in such an important 
and powerful show. She is a graduate of Pacific Conservatory 
Theatre’s professional actor training program, and earned 
degrees in Theatre Arts (Acting) and English (Creative Writing) 
from Utah State University. Her favorite past roles include 
Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing, Sarah in Time Stands 
Still, and Celandine/Naiad in The Penelopiad. Currently, Claire 
is pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching from Fontbonne University, after which she hopes 
to teach English and drama at the middle school level. Claire recently got married and 
enjoys spending her time with her husband, Sean, and their two cats, Bingley and Darcy. 
She also enjoys reading, cooking, baking, hiking, and playing video games and board 
games. Claire is thankful for her husband, parents, colleagues, and friends who support 
her every day!
Cast Biographies
Andrea Purnell (Debra Jackson) is proud to be making her 
first appearance with the Mustard Seed Theatre. She is a 
native of St. Louis, Missouri and has maintained a successful 
artistic career as both an artist and an arts administrator for 
over 15 years. Her acting credits include theater, commercials, 
industrial films, and movies. Andrea has performed with the 
San Diego Repertory Theatre, St. Louis Black Rep, New Line 
Theatre, New Jewish Theater, and as Roxane in St. Louis 
Shakespeare Company’s Cyrano De Bergerac. Her international 
credits include a performance in Lyon, France with La’HorsDe 
where she depicted an American citizen from Pruitt Igoe. Andrea was also featured in the 
award-winning film Pennies for The Boatman by Mario Farewell and was a cast member in 
the Ghana, West Africa staging. Purnell holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication 
Studies from Fontbonne University and a Master of Fine Arts in Arts Management and 
Leadership from Webster University.
Erin Renee Roberts (Dr. Soleil Kirkpatrick) is a healer, 
performance art maker and the founder and owner of both 
Creative Inhabitor and Creative Healing Arts Therapy Tent; 
her freelance performance artist entity and pop up massage 
and movement therapy practice, respectively. A native to St. 
Louis, Roberts is a licensed massage therapist and experienced 
performing artist, trained in both theater and dance. She has 
performed with The Black Rep St. Louis, YoungLiars, COCA, 
Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, SATE, and more. She obtained 
her BFA in Acting from Cornish College of the Arts in 2013. 
There she wrote and self-produced her one-woman show LoveLessonsLearned which she 
since toured to the Seattle Fringe Festival (2013), the St. Louis Fringe Festival (2014), and 
the WOW Café Theatre in New York (2016). She is currently exploring film as an expansion 
to her artistic and healing work. Learn more about Erin Renée Roberts and her work at 
creativeinhabitor.com
Cast Biographies
Creative Team Biographies
Jacqueline Thompson (Director) is a St. Louis based Actor, 
Director and Associate Professor at UMSL in the Communication 
and Media Studies Department. Some of her local acting/
directing credits include The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, The 
Black Rep, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis, Upstream, Mustard 
Seed Theatre, SATE, Metro Theatre, and New Jewish Theatre. 
In March 2018, the St. Louis Post Dispatch recognized her as 
one of six women shaping St. Louis Arts and entertainment. 
She was also noted as one of St. Louis’ most versatile performers. She received a St. Louis 
Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama as well as an Artist Fellowship 
from the Regional Arts Commission. She was selected by the Theatre Communications 
Group (TCG, the national organization for theatre) to participate in The Rising Leaders of 
Color program. In 2019, she received a Visionary award which recognizes St. Louis women 
in the arts. Thompson was a 2020-2021 FOCUS St. Louis Impact Fellow. She is an associate 
artist at Metro Theater and a proud member of Actors Equity Association.
Spencer Lawton (Stage Manager) is a St. Louis-based 
producer and theatre artist with a BA in Theatre from Saint 
Louis University. He is thrilled to be making his Mustard Seed 
debut as the Stage Manager for this incredible show. Recently, 
Spencer worked on Midsummer Night’s Dream (SLU), Residents 
of Craiglist (ERA), and Brontë Sister House Party (SATE.) He 
also works with Opera Theatre of St. Louis as an Assistant 
Costume Shop Manager, ERA as an Associate Producer, and 
Critique Theatre Company as a co-producer. Much love to Bess, Deanna, and Jacquie for 
this fantastic opportunity.
Jaylin Hester (Assistant Stage Manager) Jaylin Hester is a 
senior at Fontbonne, majoring in Social Work and minoring in 
Theatre.  She’s the assistant stage manager, she’s involved with 
the office of student orientation and engagement of campus, 
and a member of several committees. She has participated 
in some high school plays such Antigone, Alice and the 
Wonderland musical and so forth. Jaylin wants to thank the 
entire cast and crew for all the wise words and advice as she 
preps for after graduation. She is very excited about her first professional production.
Emily Fluchel (Props Design) is very excited to be working 
with Mustard Seed Theatre and on this new production of 
Feminine Energy. She graduated from The Jeanine Larson 
Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast 
Missouri State University with her BFA in Theatre: Design and 
Technology. You can find her freelancing around St. Louis as a 
props supervisor or stage manager. She hopes you enjoy the 
play as much as she does!
Patrice Nelms (Set Design) is a freelance theatrical designer 
and technician. Currently, they serve as the Assistant Technical 
Director at the New Jewish Theatre, as well as the Technical 
Director at Buck’s Rock Creative and Performing Arts Camp in 
Connecticut during the summer. They are an alumnus of both 
the Actors Theatre of Louisville apprentice program (2020) and 
the Dobbins Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast 
Missouri State University.
Shevaré  Perry (Costume Design) is a costume designer, artist, 
poet, and fashion educator. She explores creative expression 
through the overlap of visual art, theater, and fashion. Shevaré 
debuted, She Is Her, I Am She, as the inaugural artist for Saks 
Fifth Avenue Gallery and collaborated with St. Jude Children’s 
Research Hospital for their Saints Gala fundraiser. Over the last 
few years, her art has been featured at the Charles H. Wright 
Museum of African American History, and galleries in Chicago, 
New York, and London. She lives her life passion focused; a 
true example of, “Love what you do, do what you love.” Shevaré holds a B.S. Fashion Design 
from Philadelphia University and attended graduate school in London, England. She has 
also completed the Community Artist Training and Teaching Artist Institute programs at 
the Regional Arts Commission.
Creative Team Biographies
AhSa-Ti Nu Tyehimba-Ford (Sound Design) is very excited to be a 
part of Feminine Energy with Mustard Seed Theatre. AhSa-Ti Nu 
has worked on Kaleidoscope Crown, Butterfly Room and Billy Elliot 
with Center of Creative Arts, Peter Pan Jr. with Ignite Theater, 
Seed Folks with Metro Theater,  the Son Jarocho Festival, Black 
Art Salon, and Mighty Real: A Fabulous Sylvester Musical with 
Brava Theater Center, San Francisco. She also recently composed, 
produced and directed the film Overlooked Giants: A Parable of 
Queer Women of Color in the Arts. AhSa-Ti Nu holds a Bachelors 
of Science in sound arts from Ex’pression College for Digital Arts, 
Emeryville, California. AhSa-Ti is a member of the Recording Academy and Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority Inc. Learn more about AhSa-Ti Nu at www.ahsatinu.com
Michael Sullivan (Lighting Design) is an Associate Professor 
Emeritus at Fontbonne University. Michael’s previous Mustard 
Seed Theatre lighting designs include All is Calm (Theatre Circle 
Award) and An Almost Holy Picture (Kline nomination). Michael’s 
work at other theatres includes Way to Heaven (Theatre Circle 
Award) at New Jewish Theatre, The Great Gatsby for Ozark Actors 
Theatre and Proof for Moonstone Theatre Company. Upcoming 
projects: Macbeth and Desert Song for Winter Opera, and Grand 
Horizons for Moonstone Theatre Company.
Creative Team Biographies
Feminine Energy was the product of my time in the Confluence Writers Project. 
What’s funny is that I never intended to share it with anyone. I spent the program’s 
first seven months writing a different play when I reached writer’s block. I began 
to feel drawn to the story of Feminine Energy, but I didn’t want to share it because it 
felt too personal. So instead, I initially wrote the piece as a cathartic release from my 
life experiences. At the time, I was turning 30 and deeply dissatisfied with my life. My 
PCOS symptoms had become increasingly unbearable, causing debilitating pain almost 
daily. And my faith- which had been a pillar in my life for many years- was in deep crisis. 
I once read a quote saying, “doctors are to black women what police are to black men.” So 
often, institutions created to protect and assist humankind are not safe havens for people of 
color. There were many moments in my health journey where I felt dismissed, stereotyped, 
and degraded by my healthcare team. Unfortunately, as I’ve learned over time, this 
experience is widespread for black women. Writing Feminine Energy became a safe space 
where I laughed and cried as I navigated through my grief over my life, faith, and health 
condition and embraced hope and joy at the possibilities of what could come. There’s a lot 
of me in this play, but I also drew from the many stories I’ve heard from women of color as 
they navigated their health, relationships with their loved ones, and coming into their own. 
From the Playwright
About PCOS
information from clevelandclinic.org
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance caused by the ovaries 
creating excess male hormones. If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce unusually high 
levels of hormones called androgens. This causes your reproductive hormones to become 
imbalanced. As a result, people with PCOS often have erratic menstrual cycles, missed 
periods and unpredictable ovulation. Small cysts may develop on your ovaries (fluid-filled 
sacs) due to lack of ovulation (anovulation). However, despite the name “polycystic,” you 
do not need to have cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility. It can also increase your 
risk for other health conditions. Your healthcare provider can treat PCOS based on your 
symptoms and if you have plans for having children.


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